Canadian Owner/Breeder Gus Schickedanz Dies at 90

Canadian owner/breeder Gustav "Gus" Schickedanz died June 17 at his Schomberg Farm north of Toronto. He was 90.

Schickedanz bred and raced three-time grade 1 winner and stallion Langfuhr, who took New York by storm in the mid-1990s, winning the Forego Handicap (G2) and Vosburgh Stakes (G1) in 1996 and the Carter Handicap (G1) and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) the following season. Schickedanz enjoyed success breeding to Langfuhr as well, producing 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Wando, as well as Mobil, a multiple grade 3 winner, 11-time stakes winner, and 2004 champion older horse, both of whom he raced.

As a breeder, Schickedanz was also represented by Gal in a Ruckus, winner of the 1995 Kentucky Oaks (G1), multiple grade 1 winner Jambalaya, who scored in the 2007 Arlington Million (G1T) and Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Turf Stakes (G1T); homebred grade 2 winners Clever Response, Go Bro, and Kathie's Colleen (the dam of Wando), and homebred grade 3 winners Grand Bili and Marlang. Other homebred graded stakes victors included Firm Dancer and Grecian Pass. Schickedanz also bred and raced 1999 Queen's Plate hero Woodcarver.

The Schickedanz family began breeding Trakeheners in Lithuania. After emigrating from Germany, Schickedanz settled in Ontario and began a successful construction business with three brothers before establishing Schomberg Farm just outside Nobleton about 20 miles north of Woodbine.

"We're small farmers who enjoy what we do, and the good Lord has been terrifically on our side," Schickedanz said in a 2003 interview with BloodHorse. "And we have had a lot of luck. I want you to know this game is luck. Of course, you have to do everything right, but if you don't have luck, things don't happen."

In 1988, Schickedanz bought an option to breed to either Danzig or Mr. Prospector at Claiborne Farm the following year. He took his homebred mare Sweet Briar Too to Danzig, producing Langfuhr.

"Danzig we loved when he was a racehorse," Schickedanz said. "He was also a smaller horse, like Northern Dancer and Nijinsky. My grandfather used to say, 'Short legs and a good body. Short legs can run.'"

Schickedanz and his wife, Ann, would winter in Aiken, S.C., where they owned 1,600 acres. He was an avid foxhunter who would ride horses and drive carriages through the property.

"He was a gentleman and a true horseman," said an emotional Mike Keogh, who trained Langfuhr, Wando, and Mobil for Schickedanz. "He was a pleasure to train for, and he changed my life."